Technology and AI are positioned to have a big impact on orthopedic and spine surgery in the future, led by robotics and navigation, according to one surgeon. 

The number of female physicians in orthopedics is low with 11% representation. But Shriners Children's Northern California in Sacramento has taken on efforts internally and in the community to elevate and inspire women in the specialty and medicine as a whole.

Spine surgeons are anticipating large physician shortages in the near future.

Dror Paley, MD, has spent significant time in his career looking for ways to improve limb lengthening and orthopedic deformity care. 

The healthcare sector has seen the rise and continued advancement of AI across the industry, including the orthopedic field. 

Spine and orthopedic experts in March shared insights with Becker's on topics from noncompetes to private equity. Here's what they had to say:

Providing the best care for patients and the increasing demands being placed on physicians are some of the top worries for surgeons today.

Image interpretation within the orthopedic surgery field could use more innovation, according to David Kieras, MD.

Sports medicine surgeon Thomas Graham, MD, has treated numerous professional athletes and approaches their care through a three-pronged lens.

Partnerships will be important to helping push regenerative medicine further in orthopedics, Thomas Graham, MD, said.

Noncompete clauses are a hot topic in spine surgery and healthcare at large. Some states have sought legislation to eliminate them altogether. 

Negotiations can be a tricky balance for spine surgeons who want to get the most from payers.

Growing an orthopedic group for the sake of size isn't a guarantee for effectiveness, according to orthopedic surgeon Thomas Graham, MD.

A decade from now, one defining aspect of orthopedic surgery in 2024 will have been the speed at which new techniques are adopted, Neal ElAttrache, MD, said.

In September 1974, Frank Jobe, MD, performed the first Tommy John surgery, which is now one of the most common procedures among baseball players. And in 2024, one of Dr. Jobe's students, Neal ElAttrache, MD, is looking ahead to the procedure's next evolutions.

Orthopedic and spine practices are up against several payer challenges in 2024, from CMS pay cuts to the decision to keep or sever ties with Medicare patients. 

Private equity is under scrutiny after several federal agencies launched an inquiry into its role in healthcare.

Healthcare workers and consumers should pay closer attention to which entities are overseeing the landscape in light of the recent Change Healthcare cyberattack, says spine surgeon Brian Gantwerker, MD.

Spine and orthopedic experts in February shared insights on topics from value-based care to consolidation.

Bundled payments can be used as an alternative to fee-for-service in spine surgery. Some spine surgeons believe in their potential for patient access, while others are more cautious about the arrangement.